6 Self-Care Tips for the Gentle Soul

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Hiya Gorgeous!

Do you feel pressure to improve? The year is winding down and maybe your life isn’t where you want it to be yet—despite all your best efforts to transform. Perhaps you’re comparing yourself to others who seem to have it all. Or you’re holding yourself to a standard that jacks up your stress and tinkles on your joy. Well, I can certainly relate.

Every year around this time, I slowly begin my year in review by taking inventory on what worked, what didn’t, what turned out better and what was a total disaster. Suffice to say, I have examples in each of these categories. But here’s where it gets interesting, when I analyze what did work and why, there’s a common theme: simplification.

Small steps, consistently taken, add up to big changes. So if you’re itching for a wellness breakthrough, I encourage you to test drive a few simple shifts to your self-care routine, rather than sweeping changes that overwhelm you.

Change doesn’t have to be intense to work. Your life is already pretty packed—a little too packed if you ask me—so instead of loading up your to do list with goals and pressure, get a jump start on your New Year’s resolutions, intentions or whatever you like to call them, by trying some of the ideas below instead.

And listen up well-meaning perfectionists, stop getting in your own way and relax. Your new mantra is progress, not perfection. You don’t have to do these things 100% to see the benefit. In truth, perfectionism is really a desperate attempt at creating certainty—which doesn’t exist. It drains our life force, pisses off your soul and sucks the collagen out of our faces (or does that just happen to me?!). For the majority of us, when we start from an extreme place and seek extreme results, we set ourselves up for extreme disappointment.

Simplicity. Ease. Grace. Let the turtle be your spirit animal. Slow and steady, my glorious friend. From a spiritual perspective there is no race, anyway. There’s only growing.

6 Self-Care Tips for the Gentle Soul

With the holidays around the corner, this is a perfect time to ease into healthy practices that nurture your body and feed your spirit. Pick one or two points to focus on this month. Keep in mind that these suggestions aren’t about “never” doing something ever again. If you slip, congratulations! You’re HUMAN. Ask yourself why and just listen for the answers. And if these tips work for you, keep practicing them one glorious day at a time!

Start your day with introspection

Here’s how I greet each morning: I wake up when it’s still dark, light a candle and meditate for 10 minutes. Then I make tea and read something uplifting or write in my journal if I’m moved to. That’s it. The world is pretty chaotic and frightening right now. It’s easy to turn on the news and feel the energy seep right out of your body. Make it a vow to start your day by filling your well, instead. If you have to get up 15 minutes earlier, do it. Choose a time when your home is quiet and you’re the only soul awake. Or ask the waking souls to shhh so you can have your space.

Nourish your body first

What you eat is who you become. By choosing to nourish your body first thing, you’re setting the tone for the rest of the day. Water, green juice and avocado toast or a hearty smoothie will give you a boost of sustainable, nutrient-packed energy. If you love coffee, guess what? You don’t have to give it up (turtle power, remember). Instead, try cutting back to one cup and have your green juice first. Give your body a healthy burst of nutrients, alkalinity and antioxidants, then sip the joe.

Talk to your cravings

As your day unfolds, notice if you find yourself battling cravings. Cookies, those Starbuck’s seasonal soirees in a cup, chips, a smoke? But remember, your cravings aren’t always about the sugar, caffeine or whatever it is you’re jonesin’ for. Sometimes they’re a plea from your higher self. Instead of mindlessly acquiescing to the donut, ask yourself what the urge is really about.

Do you need more sweetness in your life? A time out from stress? Some love? An apology? What’s the craving attempting to fill for you? And what could you do to satisfy that itch (and your soul) instead?
Most of the time my cravings are a reminder to listen to my inner wisdom rather than my outer comfort. Compulsions to drown our pain in confections (or cocktails) are a sure sign that we have an undone spiritual assignment. Will you blow off your homework? Hint: It won’t go away. Suck it up and get it over with. Now is the perfect time to truly free yourself.

Practice The Daily Ten

You know you feel better when you move your body. There’s no denying it. So while you may not have time for a full-blown gym workout, you do have 10 minutes to shake what your mama gave you! Need some help? There are so many short online videos that are a click away. One of my favorites is Yogaglo.com. Countless teachers and practices at your fingertips. Another great resource is from my friends at FMTV.com. But those are only a few suggestion. Google your way to the workout that’s right for you. When I have more time I do longer sessions after work, but I still love my ten-minute bursts during the day. They energize my body and stimulate my creativity. If you’re having a hard time jump starting a workout program, start with the daily ten and up your game when you’re ready!

Cultivate what nourishes you BEYOND food

Your plate doesn’t contain all the answers. Your job won’t always fulfill you. Your kids aren’t always around (or pleasant!). And yet we all need soul nourishment. Without it, we wither. So what’s one thing you could do that would bring you some smiles this week?

I’ll go first: Helping animals. If you’re on my newsletter, you know that we recently raised close to $100,000 for rescue dogs in Puerto Rico via The Sato Project and that we post animal adoptions in each week. I love this work! My heart doubles in size when someone writes to say that they donated to one of our favorite charities or adopted one of the sweet beings we shared. Our readers have actually flown across country to rescue their new family member—all based on a picture! This nourishes me just as much as kale. So, how about you? What nourishes your soul? What makes you feel more connected, happy or of service? Whatever it is, do more of it.

Have compassion for yourself

Unfortunately, suffering is a natural part of life. We can’t avoid it. The trick is to acknowledge your suffering and then bear-hug it with compassion. Compassion is the medicine. Once you apply compassion you’ll be able to take the lessons and move through the discomfort. Residual ouchies may remain, but they won’t harden you. We all have scars. They give us character. I have old wounds on my knees from bike crashes and canoe flips. And then there are the cancer scars. All of which are a part of me now, neither pretty or ugly, just there—longing for compassion.

To help you put these tips into practice, I created a free Crazy Sexy Self Care Planner for you. You’ll get a snapshot of what a week of nourishing your mind, body and spirit can look like, along with easy suggestions and daily affirmations to get you started.

I want to begin with a big ol’ THANK YOU. This post made me cry. You know why? “You love you.” I’m 34 years old, and while I’ve lived a big, crazy, adventurous life so far…but, I’ve also mistreated my body during much of it. As a kid, I was a little overweight, and that slowly became who I was. Now, at 325 pounds, I’m tired and my body is giving up (though it tries SO hard to support me, bad decisions and all).

For the past month, I have been doing yoga 3 days a week before work, and I’ve slowly been adopting a vegan diet. I received Crazy Sexy Kitchen for Christmas and your spirit just resonated so deeply with me.

I’ve been juicing and/or smoothie-ing every day for the past 2 weeks and I feel more amazing than I have in years. It’s just frustrating being in a body that needs so much work. As a caretaker, I prefer to put everyone else’s needs before my own, so putting time aside to work on me is scary.

This blog post, this permission to be patient, both lifted me up and broke my heart. Because I know it took me years of neglect to reach this place, and it will take years of nurturing to find my way to a healthier me. It’s both freeing and terrifying.

Hi Dawn! I got choked up reading your comments about “you”…..You are an inspiration….
It will not take you years of nurturing to find your way to a healthier you…You have already started!!
And I am very clear (again) after reading this enlightening post that Chris has written…..that our “needs” are sometimes “embedded” in food…..She has such an encouraging way to reach out to anyone who wanting to change their “relationship” with food and LIfe! :))
Thanks again for sharing your story…..
The best to you this year and Beyond!
Gwen

Wow. Not only was I tearing up over this blog but now over your message. I can completely identify. I am pretty much in the same boat and this journey seems terrifying but I know something needs to be done and this is the year to do it. To plant good seeds and uproot the bad.
I am 31 and weigh 324lbs. High blood pressure, diabetes and cancer runs in my family. I recently buried my sister over the holidays and my mom and dad have both passed.
The good news is that I am determined to make a better and healthier life for myself. The bad….it’s not going to happen overnight. But I am glad that I read this blog that reminded me to act like a turtle and be kind and patient with myself. I look forward to sharing my success story one day.
I love you even though I never met you and keep up the great work. YOU CAN DO IT!
God Bless.

I too have many pounds to lose. Think of them in 10 pound increments-that makes them more manageable. The ten minute exercises are really important too. You are every young, do not let your life slip away. ‘Get to steppin’. Let me know how you are doing. I feel with you. [email protected]

Great words of wisdom & inspiration. I was diagnosed with stage 1 Breast Cancer this past October. My good friend Dana Brody told me about you and you’re amazing story. I can’t wait to be healthier with your help. Here’s to Happy & Healthy!

Your post just made my day! I really hear you on the sugar front because I am a cookie decorator and have given up sugar and gluten and feel like a million bucks (my blog is called the enchanted oven – can I say irony?). Just got your cookbook and I am in love with it. Thank you many times over!
xo,
Lisa

Beautiful words. Thank you so much. I didn’t make any specific New Year’s resolutions this year (one year I made a list of ten resolutions–I didn’t stick to any of them. No surprise there), but I do have an intention. I just want to have more compassion for myself this year and let go of what does not serve me anymore. I’m cleansing my palate, my mind and my body with some homemade green juices for a few days and after that I will try lots of recipes from Crazy Sexy Kitchen. I’ve bookmarked nearly every page in this book, they all look so good! Thanks again for all you do, Kris, you are a daily inspiration to me.

Thank you Kris for your inspiration today. It’s hard for me to stick to rigid rules, and just hearing from you that a little imperfection is ok made my day. The part about a side of coffee made me especially happy!
Looking forward to a healthier year!

hi Kris!
the one think that is really inspiring me this year is that my book will be launched in a few weeks… I decided last year to write a book on how yoga, meditation and a plant base diet have all helped me live a healthy life despite my multiple sclerosis diagnosis years ago…. thanks to you and your healthy plant base diet friends I found THE solution to my health problem… and I can’t wait to talk about it now!!!
thanks you, thank you, thank you,
nathalie
xox

Kris, to say that you are inspiring, beautifully spirited and so darn awesome is the largest understatement of the year. I love all the wisdom and love you share. You are living out your soul’s purpose and we are all benefiting. Love you!

Of all mornings to check my email and find what felt like a personal message from you, I really needed this.
Just finished treatment 3 months ago, and well I can’t put into words what this meant to me right at this exact time.
Thank You Kris
I am glad I found you.

I especially needed to hear your “The trick is to acknowledge your suffering and then bear-hug it with compassion.” — For the past two weeks, I’ve been sick with that silly-virus-cough-thing that’s going around, but when I read your words about bear-hugging your suffering… it was like there was no cold, no cough, no fatigue. Thank you!

Perhaps I should skip work today and just re-read this blog all day until it all sinks in and becomes a part of me! 😉

Crazy Sexy Awesome Kris, you ROCK! I totally needed this email this morning. Thanks so much for sharing your Gifts with us. And you can come to my house with your PJs anytime. I love sitting with friends and Just Being. xoxo

Kris, I finished my last treatment in August and I was so excied to come out of this experience called cancer running. I found myself doing just the opposite. I’ve gained weight and became quite sedentary. I then found my mind and spirit spiraling to a place I am not comfortable with. I have perked my head up and began doing something very simiar to your post and this morning your post reinforced what I have been doing. Thank you for suppporting me today! It will be a year of succeful growth, but I’m okay if I trip along the way. The key is getting up after the fall. Thank you for your story!

Congratulations! I also finished my treatments in August . Back then I thought I had it all figured out but in the span of 5 months I’ve also gained weight and become sedentary. In all honesty it’s good to know I’m not alone. I wish you the best of luck.

Feel like you opened up even more permission for this natural urge in my body to slow down and hang out in PJ’s. Still grabbing my morning green juice, still cutting back on animal fat, and watching my negative “talk” while surrounding myself with more positive people and settings. Great enough!!

Your words this am really helped me to put things into perspective. I was having a bad morning with a mild temper tantrum. I read your post and I stopped and breathed a few deep cleansing breaths. Thank you for your beautiful words and thoughts .

Kris, thank you for making your difference in the world. Because you have stretched yourself and are willing to put it all out there in posts like these, people like me can wake up on a Monday morning and truly sit in self forgiveness, happy rest-of-the-week outlooks, and simple surrender to what is… and how it can be even juicier.

Hey gorgeous you look so happy in that photo with the deer it just makes me want to hug you. I wonder why you are feeling heartbroken? 🙁 I hope everything is ok with you. Thank you for another compassionate and inspirational message. I can never have to many reminders to love myself and give myself a darn break. That negative self talk sure is persistent….xxxxxxxxxx

I have been decluttering every aspect of my life, including my inbox. Seeing 50+ enewsletters a day just stressed me out because I never had time to sit and read the beautiful words from such inspiring people. Your email is the only one I currently get. I felt compelled to read it this morning and this part stood out the most:

“Simplicity. Elegance. Stability. Let a turtle be your mentor. Slow and steady my friend. From a spiritual perspective there is no race. There is no “there” when you get there.”

It’s something that it said a lot, but today it especially made me stop and think and I’m surprised I hadn’t before. Over the past year I have made ginormous changes in my life and oddly fallen in love with turtles (boyfriend’s family is from FL and we go to turtle hospitals and sanctuaries every visit, plus I grew up where they didn’t roam). I have turtle everything and I didn’t even think about how subconsciously I’ve made these beautiful creatures my mascot and spirit guide. I’m a 100% or nothing kind of gal, but I KNOW those small changes are what stick rather than a complete overhaul. Kind of fun to make that realization this morning. 🙂 Thanks!

i just want to thank you sooo much for your wonderful words.You are an inspiration to me since i am trying to heal myself from a rare autoimmune disease and i feel i need all the inspiration i can get.Thank you!
The way you express yourself is so beautiful that i feel you are sitting next to me and we are having a cup of tea together!
love and light from Greece,
vasiliki

This only backs up the shift that began to happen inside of me last year. I am feeling the need for a gentle year living in the moment , ,rather than being a slave to lists and ambitions that do no serve me!

I love what you said about the “shoulds” floating around in your head. I’ve had that same experience. A feeling of “it’s the new year, I “should” be making some big resolution, doing a cleanse, training for a run….”, yet I’ve not felt in-spired to do any of those things….yet. I love that you helped me give myself permission to let go of the shoulds and just do what FEELS right and good, and what I am inspired to do, because that’s what’s perfect for me. thank you for that. love and light to you 🙂

Thanks for all the great suggestions. My weight is at an all time high and sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever really turn it all around. Small, daily, consistent steps. Reading Wheat Belly and becoming aware of the workings of gluten intolerance and how it contributes to obesity is a real eye opener. Highly recommend. So happy about your involvement in pet adoptions. That must feel amazing. Sending gratitude and love vibrations your way❤

Kris – the love, time, and devotion you put into writing this does not ever go unnoticed. Thank you for doing it. You have changed my life is subtle but profound ways. And by subtle, I guess I mean very dramatic. 🙂

OMG ! I am so inspired ! Felt like Kris was talking directly to me. Diet questions answered. No more dairy. No more meat. I am a new subscriber But I am here to stay. Thank you Kris, you are changing lives in such a positive way. Hugs to you !